Southport emergency support fund plan for businesses

Southport Council is offering support to residents

An emergency recovery fund for businesses affected by the Southport stabbings and the riots that followed is expected to be approved by a council.

Half a million pounds will be made available initially, to provide mental health support and to reimburse businesses for losses they have incurred.

Sefton Council said a proposal for the fund is set to be put forward by council leader, Marion Atkinson, at a meeting on Thursday.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven all died in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King died after the attack on 29 July

Eight children and two adults were also injured.

Initially, £500,000 will be made available and will come from existing council resources, the authority says.

As well as ongoing community support work for victims and residents, the local authority plans to launch a Southport Business Recovery Fund to support firms which have suffered since the events at The Hart Space in Southport.

Targeted financial assistance will be offered to all affected businesses and organisations located in the Hart Street and St Lukes Road areas of Southport with longer term economic solutions also to be assessed.

Businesses on Hart Street have been forced to close due to a police cordon

Merseyside Police closures have been in place for a number of weeks while investigations take place and it is estimated that up to 20 businesses on Hart Street have been forced to close due to the police cordon.

InvestSefton officers, Councillor Atkinson and Council Chief Executive Phil Porter have all been engaging with businesses in the affected areas to get their feedback and offer support.